Color light signal



Nov. 21, 1933. J. A, PEABQDY 1,936,260

COLOR LIGHT S IGNAL Filed Jan. 24, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I VENTOR. so aNov. 21, 1933. J PEABODY 1,936,260

COLOR LIGHT SIGNAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 24, 1924 FIG. 4.

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TYORNEY I Patented Nov. 21, 1933" 1336,260'" v ('IJQL'ORI'TLIGHTYSIGNAL-.lamesflAr Peabody, Evans'ton; Ill. assignor General Railway SignalCompany, Rochester,

Application January: 24;19241 Serial No: 688,238

3 Claims (01. 1W+c29 3 This invention relates to railway signals, andmore particularlyto signals of' the" color light type;- v k The problemo f-'- equipping railroads with Signals which will adequatelyprote'cttrain move-' ments presents itself fro'mm'any diife'rent anglesfiOne-particular-angIe or'phase" of this problem* manifests itself onrailroads whe're there are many overhead structures, such' asbridgesgviaducts, and the like. -Also; ininterlocking stations whereseveral signals must'be'supported vertically above 7 each other the samedifficulty is experienced, namely; the difliculty in finding enough"space in a verticalline to-support-a multipleunit color light signalor'. severalsuch'signals'of the caution signal jwill be givenin'stead'"of'a dark f present dayponstructionyand retain 'a uniform distancebetween the-lightsand'also not have the top lights atanextreme'height'above the tracks;

.turesof the invention will" appear-as'tI ie 'deScripLI For instance,when" a multiple unit"color'light signal is installed in accordancewith'the'present practice of mounting the yarious signal units aboveeach other, itis found that a single signal of, sayythree'units takes-upso-much room'that" it is difficult to support one ormore additional.

signals of probably the same number of'units, and. still havethe top'onegivea plain indication to the enginemen," particularly when the trainis close under the signal. V

In the employmentof .multiple aspect color a signal at times maynotgivean indication at all.. For instance,. since the most common in-j'dicationof the signal is clear, the lamp for the clear signal unit ismost .apt to burn out'first because it is burnedmore than thelamps for Ithe other. indications; If the clear lamp .should burn out, no:indication would :be given by the therelhasbeen illustrated a base B ofgeneral signalat all; and although this condition mightj be taken as adanger signal, it mayjhappe'n' that the engineer would not notice the.passagegof-a openings. {This base "B hasmountedthereon, in-100 thepamcu1arconamcconShawn, three identical 1 signal .unitsi having internallenses of different f signal location, and thereby run into -.-a blockalready occupied.v V

With the above and other considerations' 'in.

mind, it is proposed in accordance withthepresent invention 'to .providea color light signal com-.

prising, among other things, a plurality .of iin which emits a beam oflight of thejdesiredspread in the desired direction; this light,concentrating and directing. device being .of "a "construction toconcentrate a very large percentage of thej light emitted from 'asubstantiallyj'point source" into" the beam'without the employment" of areflector which'iwould tend to givea' false phantom "sig nal."Asl'an'other object/of this inventionitis' proposedtot provide suitableautomatic means wherebydf .a' lamp burns outa1iother lamp of equalfoiamore restrictive "signalindic'a'tion' is illuminated; Morespecifically'it is proposed to have the. caution lamp" automatically cutinto" an "energized circuit when'"th'e clearl'ampfbu'rns' out and cleartraffic" conditions prevaiL'so'thata signal." I a A Other obj ects;purp'oses and 'characteristicfea tion progresses. I

In'describing the invention"in"detail' reference:

will bamade'to the'accoinpaiiying drawings in .Which:-'

Fig. 1 shows a front elevation of a light signal! I embodying thepresent invention; portiensthere I of being broken"'awa"y' to Show theconstruction 10f the adjustable support for thesignal'i FigIfZ "shows a"side"elevation "of the "signal," l with nei offjthe' signal" unitsinsec'tion' on the line122, Fig.1; V 5 Fig.8 is lan'view' Ofthe'upperarmbffthe adjustable signal supporn" 3 Figti l is'a' side elevation of asignal pole 'ca'rry ing signalsabove eac'hDtlier on suitable brackets; Iand? v J Fig-I 5 is a diagrammatic view of-a portion of a railway systememploying signals such as shown in Fig. 1, contron'ed'm a manner to'autoin'a'tie cally cut in I a. caution lamp "when the clearlamp isburned out; w v V Referring. more particularly Y to Figs.- 1 and f2,

oblong shape having .its 'top providedwith three small-openings. and itsbottom with three large colors for convenience de'signatedGfY, "and: R,designating green,'-yellow, and red; respectively. v

Since these units are the-same'the description' oil one will Sllflie forall (if thlli: g

The unit R, shown in section in T Figfl' 2', comprises a casing l of theshapeshown-havinga largeQopening'Iin l the' froht waH and/ a I;smallopeninginth" top and bottom walls as shown. no

The back side of the casing 1 is closed by a door 2, supported on hinges3 and held closed by suitable hasp fastener a. In the large opening inthe front wall is supported a lens barrel 5 by bolts 6. This lens barrel5 is provided with lens seats on opposite ends thereof; and in thelarger seat is contained the outer clear lens 8 of the stepped type,this lens 8 being held in place by a bezel ring 9 and bolts 10. Thisbezel ring 9 is provided with a semi-circular extension to which isfastened a sun-shade 11.

shelf 14 is supported a lampreceptacle-lb for.

adjustment in a horizontal plane. Since the shelf 14 is adjustablysupported for vertical movement it is apparent that the receptacle 15may be ade, justed in any desired direction reason of'th" adjustmentprovided.

In the receptacle 15 is supported an incandescent lamp 16 which has aconcentrated fila-' ment 17 of the convoluted type. In practice, thereceptacle 15 is so adjusted with respect to the bezel ring 13 andassociated lenses that the lamp will emit a beam of light in the desireddirection and of the desired spread. It might be pointed out at thistime, that the inner lens is of such shape that the light emitted fromthe point source, namely the filament l7, directs .the light in a funnelshaped beam which strikes the concave surface of the outer lens 8, theouter lens 8 in turn being shaped to directthis funnel-shaped beam intoa more concentrated beam having the desired spread. In other Words, thefocus of the doublet lens combination formed by the inner and outerlenses for the particular light beam desired is at a point coincidentwith the filament 1'7.' By this' .construction a large solid angle ofthe light emitted from the incandescent lamp 16 is used. v

Accurate location of thefilamentllof the lamp with respect to the lens.is desirable for efiiciency and adequate indication. A bayonet typesocket and lamp base is preferably used, since it holds the lamprigidlyin the proper position. Incandescent lamps of ordinarycommerciaLmanufacture have their filaments located differently withrespect to their shape; and while adjustment of the socket 15 may bemade for each new lamp inserted to replace a burned out lamp, asmay be,required by the particular location of the fila.-

ment of that new lamp with respect to its base, it is p ie r d o s fiedadius m o t e s c 15 with respect to the lenses andmake thisadjustment uniform for all signal units, and then re-base the lamps ofcommercial manufacture in a suitable manner specifically no part of thepres ent invention, so that anyirebased lamp-may be inserted in anysocket and without adjustment" may have its filament at the proper focalpoint.

The casing 1 is constructed symmetrical, so that two casings may bemounted on top of each other,

if desired, Wires being brought into. the top casing throughopeningsshown in the top and bottom wall of the casings shown (see Fig.2). Also, the

In the smaller end of the lens barrel 5 is contained a smaller lens 12,which bolt 30 connecting the ends of the two arms .31

which two signals such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 units G, Y, and R, isprovided with a background 20, if required, fastened thereto by screws21 and brackets 22. The middle bottom opening in the base B is supporteddirectly over the top member 25 of an adjustable signal support, thebottom member 26 being disposed over the cylindrical end of a pedestal27 or corresponding support. As shown, the top member 25 may be rotatedabout the bottom member by reason of the arouate guides 28 supported ingrooves about the bot- 8 tom member 26. These arcuate guides arefastened to the upper member by dowel screws 29,

as sho v n Also, the top member 25 of this adjustable support may betilted by reason of the and 32, and extending from the top and bottommembers, respectively. It should be noted that the armlfil isprovidedlwith an arcuate slot 35 see Fig. .3) whereby the rotatableadjustment heretofore mentioned may be made.

The wires leading ,to the various signal lamps 'are' brought ministerthe flexible conduit'36 connected to the end of the base B by theconduit outlet 37. The two outside bottom openings in the base Bheretofore mentioned are closed by covers 38 and '39 so that the wiringis entirely concealed and not exposed to moisture, detrimental gases,and the like.

In Fig. has been. shown a construction in are supported on a singlesignal pole 40. Since these signals and supports are the same, thedescription done will sufiice for both. The lower ,7 member'of theadjustable support, instead of being supported on pedestal 27 as shownin Figs. 1 and 2, is supported ona cylindrical extension ll projectingfrom the-bracket 42, this bracket 42 being secured to thesignal pole 40by two-U-shaped clamp bolts 43. In this construction thewiresleadinginto the. signal casings pass'through a conduit 44leading-into the cover 45 closing the lowerend. of a cylindricalvextension 111. This .construction, it will be noted, permits a-number ofsignals of several units each to be mounted on .the same signal poleabove each other 120. without consuming much space. In practice, eachsignal is adjusted so as-to' direct the light beam in the desireddirection. This adjustment may be roughly accomplished by loosening'theset screws 33 (see. Fig.2). and adjusting the. lower mem ber oftheadjustable supportto the pedestal 27; and a further and morerefinedadjustment may be made. by rotatably swinging. the upper member25 aboutthe lower member to an extent as limited by .the slot 35 .in this uppermember, forwardly or, rearwardly tiltingQof thesignal beingaccomplished. by turning of .the bolt30, which is pivotally secured inthe upper member 31. and locking this bolt 3am its newly adjustedposition bythe lock, nut. Shown.

Referring more particularly, to Fig. 5" there .has been'showna' track towhich signals embodying the present invention have been applied. Thistrack apparatus comprises rails 50 divided by insulating joints "51 intoblocks in the usual manher, the block I and the adjacent ends Oftwoother blocks and J being shown. Ilachof the blocks is provided withasuitable source of energy at its exit end, which has beenconventionally, 1 illustrated by the battery 52, and is providedat theentrance end with a track relay T. Since the variousblocks are thesamelike partsgof each blockwill be assigned like reference charactershaving distinctive exponents. Each of the blocks is provided with alinerelay L which is energized is placedand the front contactiii i ofthetrack relay of the block next in advance' while these blocks areunoccupied. 7

Clear indication-Referring more particularly to the block I, the greenor clear lamp G is energized under normal traiiic conditions aheadthrough a circuit which may be traced as follows: 1

beginning at the terminal B of a suitable source of energy which has itsother'terminal connected to a common return wire C, front contact 55 ofthe track relay T, wire 56, front'contact 57 of the line relay'L, wires58 and 59, winding of the check relay CR, wire 60, clear lamp G, wires61 and 62, back to the common return wire C. The energizing current forthe lamp G flowing through the check relay CR is sufficient to causethis relay to assume its energized position, thereby opening its backcontact 63. This check relay CR may be of any desired construction,provided that it is'sensitive' enough to be energized by the currentflowing in the lamp G without introducing a prohibited amount ofresistance in 'the circuit. a

' Caution indication.-If the block J should be o'ccupied'ior any reason,the track relay T assumes its deenergized position, drops its frontcontact 54 and deenergiz'es the line relay L. The deenergization of theline relay L causes its contact to drop, thereby closing a circuit forthe caution or yellow lamp Y which may be traced as follows: beginningat the terminal B, front contact 5'? in its lower position, wires 64 and65,

impedance unit 66, wire 67, caution lamp Y, wires 68 and 62, back to thecommon return wire CL It is thus noted that the caution lamp Y at theentrance to the bloclr'I is energized when'the block J is occupied. f

Danger indication.-If now the block I is occu-' pied by a train, or'isin danger for some other reason, the track relay T assumes itsdeenergized position for obvious reasons. This causes the con-' tact ofthe track relay T to assume its lower position, thereby closing acircuit for the red or danger lamp R which may be traced as follows:

track relay T in its lower position, wire 70, impedance unit 71, wire'72, danger lamp R, wire '73, back to thecommon return wire C.

Caution indication under clear conditions.- Let us assume that theblock'I and the block J are both unoccupied and that' the relaysT and Tassume the energized position thereby completing a circuit for the clearlamp G, as heretofore traced. Let us assume now that the clear lampburns out so that it is extinguishedand the energizing current whichheretofore was flowing in the check relay CR has been interrupted.

This causes the check relay CR to assume its deenergized position,thereby completing a circuit for the yellow lamp Y, which may be tracedas follows: beginning at the terminal B, front contact 55 of the trackrelay T, wire 56, iront 'contact 5? of the line relayL, wires 58 and.74,

7 giving a caution signal and allowing the engineer -to proceedinsteadof having no signal to guide,

advise or protect him against possible danger ahead.

The impedance units 66 and 71 have an impedance approximately equal tothat ofthe resistance of the check relay CR. These impedance units areemployed so that the incandescent lamps used in the signals G, Y, and B,respectively, may be of the same candle power and current carryingcapacity and may be interchanged if desired. It should be noted thatnotonly failure of the filament oi the lamp G causes. the lamp Y to beenergized instead, but that failure of the winding of the control relayCR, either beto the caution lamp Y by providing a similar check relay inseries with such caution lamp and'providing a back contact whichcompletes a circuit for the red lamp it when such caution lamp isdeenergized; also, the same arrangement cause it is open or because itis shunted, causes.

may be applied to the red lamp R byproviding another auxiliary red lampwhich is energized if the red lamp of the signal-is burned out or itsenergizing circuit is open for some other reason, the same arrangementbeing applicable to lamp G and Y.. 1 i

From the foregoing will be observed that the color light signal of thisinvention ahorizontal arrangement or disposition of the light projectingunits, three of these unitsbeing ordinarily used'to give the commonindications of clear", caution,'and danger. Thisparticular arrangementof signal units has a number of important advantages. In thefirst place,it makes the whole signal of such form that-it is more adaptable to thespace requirements encountered beginning at the terminal 13, Co tact 55f th characterizing this invention, where a vertical of vision. Oncertain railroads overhead structures are frequently found. The signalsthemselves sometimes being supported on bridges; and under theseconditions the signal of this invention provides a visibility and rangefor all indications of the signal that could not be obtained by avertical disposition. The space economy above mentioned is particularlyaccentuated in terminals and other points of congested trackage where itis necessary to have two or more complete signals close together at thesame point. Furthermore, the units may be arranged in different order asto color and the different signals arranged above each other as shown inFig. 4', as forinstance, the red signals can be located instaggered'relation to give a permissive or special aspect to the signal.

As already'stated, the green or clear lamp being the one burning thegreatest part of the time, perhaps ninety-five per cent of the time,

is the lamp which is used the most and which will be the one to burn outfirst; If the clear or green light should burn out under clear trafficconditions, a so-called dark signal is the result; and while such a darksignal, according to the rules, signifies stop, the engineer may fail toobserve the signal making it desirable to use an additional marker lampto locate the signal. This invention provides, however, for cutting inand lighting the yellow or caution lamp whenever the green or clear,lamp burns out, thereby providing a reserve indication for the greenindication which not only serves the purpose of a marker light but alsois more likely to assure safe control of the train, It is consideredpreferable to cut in the yellow or caution indication upon burning outof the green lamp, rather than cutting in a reserve lamp for'the greensignal, because the engineer under ordinary circumstances would observethe showing of a caution indication instead of a clear indication andwould report the abnormal condition, mak ing prompt repair more certainthan if a green lamp in reserve is used. On the other hand if the signalin question is an approach signal where the yellow or caution lamp isburning almost continually it is considered preferable to have anauxiliary lamp giving the same distinctive indication when such 7caution. lamp burns out. If desired, additional resistance may be cut inseries with the yellow lamp when lighted because of failure of the greenlamp, so as to give weaker caution indication and show the engineer thatsomething is out of order; but ordinarily the engineer would be able todetect the showing of a yellow light where 'a green lamp should bedisplayed. 1

Although the invention has been shown applied to a color light signal itis desired to be understood that it may also be applied to positionlight signals, where: agroup of lights are used to define a bar orsignal blade the position of which determines the signal indication.

Having thus shown one specific embodiment of the present invention andthe manner in which it may be applied to one particular type 1. -In alight .signal, a hollow base member having a plurality of flat portionson one facev and in the same plane and with an opening in each portionforming a means of communicating with the hollow of the body, aplurality of identical light projecting units each having a flatbaseportion parallel to-its optical axis and provided with an opening insaid base portion, said hollow member and said units also including;means for interchangeably mounting the units on the hollow base member.

2. In a light signal, in combination, a hollow flat base ,member havinga plurality of openings in its upper face, a plurality of identicallight projecting units, eachhaving a flat base provided with an openingtherein, and means to connect the light units to thebase member and withthe unit openings over the openings in the upper face of the basemember. I

3. In a light signal, in combination, a hollow flat basememberhaving aplurality of openings in its upper face, a plurality of identical lightprojecting units each having a flat base, means to connect the lightunits to the base member and over theopenings in the upper face thereof,an opening in the base of each light unit registering, when he unit isin place, with the corresponding'opening in the upper face of the basemember, and a terminal box connectable to the base member andcommunicating with the hollow of the base member. i

. l JAMES A. PEABODY.

